I went to GC looking for an OLP Musicman Clone and came out with this:

Because they didn't have any...So I saw this hanging all the way up. I might play for my friends band and I was looking for a 4 banger, because I didn't want to use my five string. So I asked the saleguy there if I can try it out. So I plug it into an Ampeg combo amp and it sounded pretty good. I just noodled around with it ,cause so idiot was blasting some guitar amp. It sounded pretty good but it need it a little bit of setting up. I told the salesman that the bass sounded pretty good but it need it a set up. So the guys tells me hell knock the price down if took it. Fine, I told him. If I didn't like it I'll just return it. So I get home set it up, and plugged into my Swr 750 and Ampeg 8x10. All I can say is that I was pleasantly surprised. It had the punch and growl that I was looking for in a MusicMan style pickup bass that I was looking for. And the Jazz pup on the neck gave it a nice warm fat bottom end when both pups blended together. Its definatly a keeper.

While I've havent been an Ibanez fan. I like this bass alot. Its very well made and a nice set up can do amazing things. And later on while I was playing it. I found out that this bass also has a coil push/pull switch too. That was really neat!

So without any ado heres is the obligatory pics
Oh yeah its an Ibanez RD500...It reminds me of a poormans Lakland.

Congrats. It looks great. The bridge looks pretty massive. How much does it weigh?

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Well, compared to my heavy as hell Ash/Maple Jazz with a badass 5 with a Badass Bridge. It weighs nothing. But the bridge is massive, Its weird how the strings are anchored though. I'll have to figure that out later.

Nice score! I played one of those at GC and I dug it.. excellent playability and big sound.
I love how the guy gave you a discount because the bass needed to be tweaked. I'm gonna have to remember to try that one!

Nice! Do they come in a 5 string?? And what was the price range? I actually have a Lakland 55-01 that I just cannot get comfortable with and am looking to trade. I'm heading to the Va. Beach GC tomorrow!

Nice! Do they come in a 5 string?? And what was the price range? I actually have a Lakland 55-01 that I just cannot get comfortable with and am looking to trade. I'm heading to the Va. Beach GC tomorrow!

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yeah, they have a 5 string version, mine was regularly priced at 369.00. I think the 5'ver was 449.00 or something.

Nice Score! I'm pretty impressed by some of Ibanez' higher end basses. Tight and punchy sound.

This one looks like it would have a nice GR-ROW-ELL! And the addition of the neck pup is a nice touch. I bet if you solo that neck pickup you'd get a nice P-ish sound, too. And the addition of a series/parallel switch is a great touch.

I see Ibanez is stepping up their game! I always felt that they made decent basses! I own an original SR505 from the mid 90's. Besides the thin neck, it's a very good sounding and playable bass. Just not a 'slapper'. The pickups and pre-amp are excellent. I may even have a gander at a BTB 5 string.

This bass is worth checking out if since the humbucker's coil can be split. The split humbucker is the key to Lakland 55-94's versatility IMO. As much as I love my Peavey USA MIllennium 5, the lack of a coil splitter is a major flaw in it's electronics. At $449, I will have to check out that Ibanez 5.